Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is planning to administer an injection of morphine to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure client safety?

• A. Instruct the client to take a deep breath during administration.
• B. Administer the medication over 30 seconds.
• C. Verify the client’s pain level.
• D. Have naloxone available in case of respiratory depression.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to have naloxone available in case of respiratory depression. Morphine is an opioid that can lead to respiratory depression, especially in higher doses. Naloxone is the antidote for opioid overdose and should be readily accessible when administering morphine to reverse respiratory depression if it occurs. Instructing the client to take a deep breath during administration (choice A) is not directly related to ensuring safety in this scenario. Administering the medication over 30 seconds (choice B) may help with the comfort of the client but does not address the potential risk of respiratory depression. Verifying the client's pain level (choice C) is important but not the primary action to ensure safety when administering morphine.

2. While caring for a client receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), which of the following interventions should the nurse take?

• A. Encourage the client to use the PCA before dressing changes.
• B. Monitor the client's respiratory status.
• C. Provide oxygen therapy to the client as needed.
• D. Ensure the PCA pump is functioning properly.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: The nurse should encourage the client to use the PCA pump before activities like dressing changes, which are likely to cause pain, to ensure effective pain management. Monitoring the client's respiratory status (Choice B) is important but not the priority in this scenario. Providing oxygen therapy (Choice C) is not a routine intervention for all clients on PCA unless specifically indicated. Ensuring the PCA pump is functioning properly (Choice D) is essential, but encouraging the client to use the PCA before painful activities takes precedence to manage pain effectively.

3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving radiation treatments for cancer. The client states he is experiencing dryness, redness, and scaling at the treatment area. Which of the following should the nurse instruct the client to do?

• A. Sit in the sun for 15 minutes per day.
• B. Apply moist heat to the area twice daily.
• C. Liberally apply prescribed lotion to the area.
• D. Wash the affected area daily with antimicrobial soap.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to liberally apply prescribed lotion to the treatment area. Prescribed hydrating lotions help soothe and protect irradiated skin, reducing dryness, redness, and scaling. Sitting in the sun can further damage the skin. Applying moist heat may exacerbate the skin condition. Washing the area with antimicrobial soap can be too harsh and further irritate the skin.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who has end-stage osteoporosis and is reporting severe pain. The client’s respiratory rate is 14 per minute. Which of the following medications should the nurse prioritize administering?

• A. Promethazine
• B. Hydromorphone
• C. Ketorolac
• D. Amitriptyline

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Hydromorphone, an opioid, is the most appropriate option for managing severe pain in this context. Opioids provide fast-acting relief for acute pain associated with advanced osteoporosis. Promethazine (Choice A) is an antihistamine and not indicated for pain relief. Ketorolac (Choice C) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that may increase the risk of bleeding and is not recommended for severe pain management. Amitriptyline (Choice D) is a tricyclic antidepressant that is not the first-line treatment for severe acute pain.

5. In orienting new staff nurses to a pediatric intensive care unit, what is an important consideration in providing information to parents of a critically ill child?

• A. Making sure they receive complete information during each encounter
• B. Assessing parents' preferences regarding the amount of information
• C. Allowing parents to observe key aspects of their child's care
• D. Providing patient education brochures explaining ICU protocols

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Assessing parents' preferences about the amount of information is crucial because it allows for individualized care that respects their needs and emotional capacity during a stressful time. Choice A is not ideal as overwhelming parents with complete information during each encounter may not align with their preferences. Choice C, while valuable, may not always be feasible or appropriate due to privacy concerns or medical procedures. Choice D, providing brochures, may not address the specific needs or preferences of each set of parents, making it less effective than assessing individual preferences.

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